Geography

Havana lies on the northern coast of Cuba, south of the Florida Keys, where the Gulf of Mexico joins the Caribbean Sea (map at right). The city extends mostly westward and southward from the bay, which is entered through a narrow inlet and which divides into three main harbours: Marimelena, Guanabacoa, and Atarés. The sluggish Almendares River traverses the city from south to north, entering the Straits of Florida a few miles west of the bay.
The low hills on which the city lies rise gently from the deep blue waters of the straits. A noteworthy elevation is the 200-foot-high (60-metre) limestone ridge that slopes up from the east and culminates in the heights of La Cabaña and El Morro, the sites of colonial fortifications overlooking the eastern bay. Another notable rise is the hill to the west that is occupied by the University of Havana and the Prince's Castle. Outside the city, higher hills rise on the west and east.

Tourism

Havana City

Founded on November 16, 1519, Cuba's capital remains a
city of meetings. Music, dance,culture, art, fun and entertainment come together in a versatile and amazing
personality. Its historic center, declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, is one of the oldest colonial and best
preserved of America. Havana is brimming with bars, tango
houses and cultural centers . The main strip of Calle Obispo
is the place to begin an old town bar hop, where a seductive
musical soundtrack and spontaneous street side grooving
provides some of the city's best free entertainment.

The Vedado public park

In central Havana is a traditional meeting place for the city's lovers. It’s pretty
shaded walkways are also frequented by street musicians, artists and poets who often end up here at
the end of a long night on the town, or in search of inspiration.

El Malecon

There is no other place which shows more of the
Havana's soul, or attracts more locals and tourists than the long
stretch Malecon. This sea boulevard crawls 7 km along the
historical areas of the city, from the colonial center (Habana
Vieja) through the (Russian) apartments of Vedado, if it is a
resume of Havana's history. There are a lot of very charming
buildings along the busy street, but it's the total thing what
makes it interesting, in specific when the Bay of Habana is
lightened by the sunset.

Playas del Este

with Its beaches invite the pleasure of enjoying
a summer residence of the sun and sea in the largest city in the
Caribbean. The chain of beaches called the Eastern Beaches
(Spanish: Playas del Este) extend for 15 miles (24 km) along the
north coast of Havana City province. The beaches are (named
from West to East): Tarará; El Mégano; Bacuranao (has a bay
shape, thick sand and a small Spanish fortress on its western
side); Santa María del Mar; Boca Ciega; Guanabo; La Veneciana
and Brisas del Mar.

The National Zoo

Is situated on the
outskirts of Havana and many of the animals housed here
roam freely in areas which resemble their natural habitats.
For safety reasons visitors are transported through these
particular areas on a small train, which allows close up
views of the daily life of the animal kingdom at large.
Traditional enclosures in the rest of the zoo mean you can
wander at will through the hundreds of species on show
here.

And these are just a few of the many, many attractions to do while in Havana.